Planning decision

On Wednesday 10 th May the new Department for Communities and Local Government announced that the Secretary of State (now Ruth Kelly) agreed with the Inspector's recommendation that the “called in” outline planning application be refused. The full texts of both the decision letter and the Inspector's Report can be found on this website.

Initial feelings were of frustration and anger that five and a half years' effort had apparently been dismissed at the stroke of a Ministerial pen.

David Brown, Chairman of the Community Property Trust, in a statement to the press, said: “We are extremely disappointed by this decision. It is a major setback for our community and for the many others that have been watching developments here in the hope of following our example. Residents, especially those in urgent need of affordable homes or looking forward to a new primary school for their children, will be particularly dismayed and frustrated at this decision. It is also extremely difficult for us to reconcile this decision with recent pronouncements by Government Ministers that they wish to ensure the full input of local communities in planning for their future.”

He continued: “we will need to consider the detail of the decision and take stock, but we remain committed to working together as partners to help the community achieve its ambitions.”

The reactions of the County Council and the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association, partners in the project alongside the CPT and Parish Council, may also be of interest. Councillor Brian Greenslade, Leader of Devon County Council, said: “This is a huge disappointment and given the support for this innovative project from the community, the County and District Council, hard to understand. The County Council will need to review the Government's decision in partnership with the Trust and consider where we go from here.”

Local County Councillor, John Rawlinson said: “This is a very sad day for High Bickington and everyone who has worked so hard on a project which would have brought the community affordable homes, a new primary school and the potential for new jobs. I will be talking to County Council colleagues as a matter of urgency to see what we can do to continue helping the people of High Bickington.”

Teresa Butchers, Chief Executive of the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association, a partner in the development, said: "we are extremely disappointed that the Minister has turned down the application. It is a terrific blow for the community. The local people waiting for homes will not now get them and this will have an adverse knock on effect for the area. We are sad for the Community Property Trust who put in tremendous amounts of effort and commitment but their work has been in vain."

The options now would seem to be, firstly, to progress the scheme in a piecemeal, phased way or, secondly, to wait until the new planning system (Local Development Framework) is in place which might allow the full scheme to proceed. This would inevitably involve some delay.

The Community Property Trust has met with the other partners in the project to discuss the way forward. The partners have agreed to try to arrange a meeting with Ruth Kelly's department to see what form or scale of development might be acceptable. Further information will be provided as soon as it is available, through Ramblings and on the website.

Other matters

Compared with the above, other news appears trivial by comparison. However, the Community Property Trust will continue as tenants of Little Bickington Farm for the time being. Planned maintenance work is being undertaken and the community woodland keeps growing despite everything! Mowing and spraying is in progress, to keep on top of the docks and other weeds in Quarry Wood.

The Information and Walks leaflet is now available and in circulation. We hope that this will encourage walkers and riders to get out onto the footpaths and bridleways of the parish this summer – and of course to enjoy the views and wildlife in Quarry Wood itself.